Yamaha Artists Take the Spotlight At GRAMMY Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 18, 2011) - It was a big night for Yamaha artists last Sunday evening, when the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony dished out award after award for their previous year's endeavors.

Lady Antebellum, featuring Yamaha artist Dave Haywood, walked away with the most trophies overall, winning Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Country Song and Best Country Performance by Duo/Group for the song "Need You Now." Additionally, the chart-topping country trio took home the award for Best Country Album, winning five awards total.

R&B singer/songwriter John Legend earned three GRAMMY's for his collaborations with The Roots, led by Yamaha drummer Questlove. Alicia Keys added two to her ever-growing collection, bringing her overall total up to a whopping 14 GRAMMY Awards since her debut album in 2001. The evening ended with an unexpected twist when seven-member indie ensemble Arcade Fire, who plays Yamaha keyboards, took home the coveted award for Album of the Year, beating out chart-topping favorites Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.

In addition to some interesting upsets and edge-of-your-seat announcements, the performances from this year's ceremony truly stood out. Lady Gaga emerged from a futuristic egg, Bruno Mars did a retro Michael Jackson-esque tribute, with Janelle Monae and B.o.B, and Katy Perry debuted footage of her wedding to the world via a big screen.

Rihanna opened the performance of "Love the Way You Lie" with Adam Levine of Maroon 5 on a Yamaha AvantGrand N2 upright hybrid piano before Eminem joined in, delivering his fiery verse before passing things off to Skylar Grey for "I Need a Doctor."

Yamaha Artist Services - Nashville also provided a C7S grand piano for the stage, which was used in a number of performances, including Lady Antebellum, Barbara Streisand and the opening tribute performance to Aretha Franklin, which featured Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Yolanda Adams and Martina McBride.

Best New Artist GRAMMY award winner Esperanza Spalding performed with the accompaniment of a Motif, as did Eminem and Barbara Streisand. Other performers of the evening included Mick Jagger, Drake, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cee Lo, Usher, Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers, and Bob Dylan.

A complete list of this year's Yamaha artist winners includes:

Record of the Year
Lady Antebellum, featuring Yamaha artist Dave Haywood - "Need You Now"

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
Zac Brown Band (with Alan Jackson) - As She's Walking Away

Best Country Song
Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum) - Need You Now

Best Country Album
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

Best Contemporary World Music Album
Béla Fleck - Throw Down Your Heart, Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks

The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards posted the highest ratings for music's biggest night since 2001, with an average audience of 26.5 million viewers, up 3 percent from last year's telecast, according to preliminary ratings results from Nielsen.

The GRAMMY's are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.